1st-2nd Crusades

12 brilliant lectures by celebrated Church historian and author Christopher Bellitto. Few events have affected the course of civilization as profoundly as the Crusades, a centuries-long period of violent conflict and competition between Islam and Christianity. The Crusades brought destruction and violence to the third monotheistic faith of Judaism as well. Resurfacing frequently in present-day political conversations about clashes between faiths and cultures, the troubling legacy of the Crusades is undeniable. Join award-winning professor Christopher Bellitto in an exploration of this period of conflict. As you examine the five major crusading movements from multiple perspectives, you'll gain a deeper knowledge of what the Holy Land means to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. You'll come to better understand the concepts of "just war" and "jihad" that dominated during the Middle Ages. Along the way you'll learn about crusade arts, letters and architecture; military orders like the Templars and Hospitallers; the notion of crusading in popular history throughout the centuries; and the state of Christian-Muslim relations today. Simply put, to understand the Crusades is to gain profound insight into the historical course of Civilization—Western and Eastern—and into the profound contradictions of religious war and human nature itself. You'll be in good hands with Prof. Bellitto, who is known for his ability to bring clarity to complex historical and religious events. Don't miss the opportunity to learn with him today. This course is part of the Learn25 collection and comes with a free PDF study guide.